Tea & Health
Is there any truth in the fact that people say tea is really good for
you? Well, actually there is...
Drinking Tea Everyday, Keeps the Doctor Away
Tea
is a naturally refreshing drink and taken on its own it has no calories, so
it's the perfect drink to keep you looking good and feeling fit. When taken
with milk, as is the preference of 98% of the population, four cups of tea a
day can provide you with significant amounts of the following nutrients: approximately
17% of the recommended intake for calcium, 5% for zinc, 22% for Vitamin B2,
5% for folic acid, and Vitamins B1 and B6.
A cup of tea is also a good source of manganese, which is essential
for general physical development, and potassium which helps to maintain your
body's fluid balance.
Tea & Science, Together At Last!
The latest
research into how we live our modern lives often shows how things like pollution
or too much sun can be harmful to us. Our bodies are being attacked constantly
from the inside by unstable substances called free radicals that may damage
otherwise healthy cells. Free radical damage has been implicated in diseases
such as heart disease, stroke and cancers. It is thought that one of the ways
of combating these free radicals is by regularly consuming foods and drinks
that are rich in substances called antioxidants. As well as fruit and vegetables
being good sources of these, you can top up your daily antioxidant intake by
drinking tea. That's because tea is widely known to be rich in a group of antioxidants
called flavonoids.
For example, there is eight times the amount of 'anti-oxidant
power' in three cups of tea than there is in one apple, and every time you brew
up in a cup or a pot for upto one minute you get 140mg of free radical-fighting
flavonoids. Who'd have thought something that tastes that good can be so good
for you!
Tea Can't Be Beat, Buh-Beat, Buh-Beat...
Long stressful days at work, lack of exercise, too much convenience
food that is high in fat and sugar but low in fibre, can all take its toll.
A well-earned tea break is often the way to catch your breath, but it can also
be beneficial to your heart.
That's because studies from around the world are finding that
the active ingredients in tea may help towards maintaining a healthy heart.
A national study of 1,764 women in Saudi Arabia showed that tea drinkers were
19% less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease than non-tea drinkers.
In Holland, 806 men who consumed the greatest amount of catechins (a type of
flavonoid) were 51% less likely to die of heart disease during the 10-year study
period, compared with men who consumed the lowest amount.
Further studies are looking into how tea could be beneficial
for your heart. The results from trials so far show that flavonoids may prevent
the oxidation of the so-called bad cholesterol in the blood that leads to the
build up of plaque in artery walls, as well as protecting the blood vessels
from inflammation and inhibiting blood clot formation.
Everybody Say Teeeeea!
Still more research is being conducted everyday which
continues to point to tea being beneficial for consumers. When you're puckering
up for that kiss it's nice to know you've got a perfect pair of pearlies and drinking
tea can help make sure your teeth get a clean bill of health.
Tea is a great natural source of fluoride, which is found
in water and added to toothpaste because it can actually strengthen tooth enamel.
Tea can also prevent tooth decay by helping to cut down the build up of plaque
on your pearly whites - and just in case you're wondering, the tea plant is in
itself a rich source of fluoride because it absorbs the compound from the soil
via its roots.
Both black and green teas contain fluoride and they appear
to control bacterial growth by reducing plaque.
All Is Well... If You Drink Up!
You may be surprised
to learn that a massive 45-70% of our body is made up of water which is why
fluid is essential for life.
It's important therefore to replace fluids that are lost
through day to day activities, which is why doctors recommend that we drink at
least 2.5 pints/1.5 litres of fluid per day to prevent dehydration. Tea, which
on average accounts for 40% of our daily fluid intake, can help you reach the
daily target of 2.5 pints and so help keep your body in tip top condition.
Caffeine...or not Caffeine...That is the Question!
Contrary
to popular belief, tea does not contain more caffeine than coffee. Tea actually
contains almost half the amount of caffeine than coffee does.
Caffeine is a natural substance found in
many types of food and drink. It's also a stimulant so a cuppa can give you a
much needed lift and revitalise you for a demanding and tiring afternoon ahead.
With caffeine like many substances, moderation, not excess, is the key. Research
shows that moderate amounts of caffeine, 300 mg per day (or 7 cups of tea!) are
safe for most people.
So why not take full advantage of your tea breaks at
work, or make time for afternoon tea whilst out shopping on the weekend, and remember
that tea is not just a great drink, it helps to keep you looking and feeling healthy!
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